2013 WYOMING STATE MINERAL AND GEM SHOW Volume 2013 Issue 3 JUNE 15-16 RIVERTON, WY August Article submitted by: Stan Strike he WSMGS Board would like to thank the Riverton Mineral and Gem Society Tfor hosting the 2013 WSMGS State Show and the Annual WSMGS Member- ship Meeting. We would like to complement your members on a quality show: Advertising grant & community support resulted in a large attendance (c.1,500) Signage at entrance and at various activities was professionally done Door prizes given periodically throughout Show Raffle items were of high quality Silent auction was well organized with varied materials “Rock Wheel of Fortune” game of chance allowed everyone to win Three different activities for children of various ages Club Showcases were grouped together Dealer/Professional, Amateur, and Educational Display Cases Host club members easily identified, friendly and helpful Dealers (17) were well spaced with spacious aisles for the public Rock Identification Station Ultra-Violet Rock Display Pot-luck Dinner provided for delegates, officers, dealers, & members Educational speakers scheduled during show
SHOWCASE RESULTS A. CLUB-PEOPLES CHOICE AWARD: Riverton Rock Club B. Dealer/Professional: 1st-Will Guthrie 2nd-Linda Richendifer C. Amateur: 1st-Richard Heumier 2nd-Nancy Rickard 3rd-Cary Arner D. Educational: 1st-Glen Laidlaw 2nd-Heumier Family 3rd-Linda Richendifer
WSMGS STATE ROCKHOUND OF THE YEAR Richard Heumier was selected as the 2013 WSMGS State Rockhound of the Year. Richard has been a member of a rock club since he was nine years old and presently belongs to several other clubs in Wyoming. He has served as the WSMGS Historian and as a WSMGS Board member for the past four years. Rich- ard helped to establish the Heumier Museum in Torrington by documenting, label- ing and displaying his families’ rock collection. Continued at the top of Page 14 Wyoming State Mineral & Gem Society (WSMGS) STATE OFFICERS
President: Stan Strike Richard Heumier: Historian 2132 Gail Lane-Cody, 82414 88 Triangle Ranch Road-Riverton, 82501 Phone: 307-250-1244 Phone: 307-851-1946 Vice President: George Tillman Verne Orcutt: Jade State News Editor 9075 N Mohican Road, Casper, 82601-7457 P.O. Box 697-Cody, 82414 Phone: 970-405-5502 Phone: 307-578-7091 Secretary: Mary Ann Northrup Jim McGarvey: RMFMS State Director 736 Lane 13-Powell, 82435 P.O. Box 116-Kinnear, 82516 Phone: 307-754-4472 Phone: 307-856-6188 Treasurer: Jim McGarvey P.O. Box 116-Kinnear, 82516 WSMGS Webmaster Phone: 307-856-6188 Marlene Sibley
Wyoming WSMGS Affiliated Rock Clubs
Cheyenne Mineral & Gem Society: Rex Young Rock Club: P.O. Box 21412- Cheyenne, WY 82001 Ron Harroun-Box 373-Lingle, WY 82223 President-Bob King-2857 Olive Dr. President- Kim Nielsen-50434 Leisure Lane Cheyenne, WY 82001 (307-632-2702) Scottsbluff, NE 69361(308-632-2385) Contacts: Bob King Contacts: Kim Nielsen Carroll Schnell Joyce Trowbridge
Cody 59ers Rock Club: Riverton Mineral & Gem Society: Stan Strike-2132 Gail Lane P.O. Box 1904-Riverton, WY 82501 Cody, WY 82414 (250-1244) President-Linda Richendifer-10709 Hwy 26 President-Jim Ulmer-P.O. Box 3003 Kinnear, WY 82516 (307-856-1532) Cody, WY 82414 (307-272-5330) Contacts: Linda Richendifer Contacts: Jenny Schneider Alice Gustin Beth Spears
Natrona County Rockhounds: Shoshone Rock Club: P.O. Box 123-Mills, WY 82644 P.O. Box 256-Powell, WY 82435 President-George Tillman (970-405-5502) President- Mary Ann Northrup-736 Lane 13 Contacts: Helen Hoff Powell, WY 82435 (307-754-4472) Jennifer Flowers Contacts: Linna Beebe Jane Neale
Page 2 JADESTATENEWS WSMGSWSMGS INFORMATION INFORMATION AN ANDD UPDATES UPDATES by Stan Strike, President
1. The Annual WSMGS Membership Meeting was held on Friday, June 14, 2013. Included in this edition of the Jade State Newsletter are the Secretarial Minutes and the Annual Treasurer’s Financial Report. At this meeting all of the WSMGS Affiliated Clubs were represented by delegates. The following major business was completed:
Unanimous approval of the WSMGS Articles of Incorporation and WSMGS By-Laws as updated and rewritten by the WSMGS Board. This was necessary in order to include the verbiage required to qualify for a 501(c)3 classification with the United States Internal Revenue Service.
The election of WSMGS Officers: President — Stan Strike Vice President — George Tillman Secretary — Mary Ann Northrup Treasurer — Jim McGarvey Historian — Richard Heumier JSN Editor — Verne Orcutt Awards from The Rocky Mountain Federation of Mineralogical Societies: Jim McGarvey-RMFMS Gold Pan Service Award Verne Orcutt- 1st Place-New Newsletter Editor Marlene Sibley- Honorable Mention-WSMGS Website Lynn & Jane Neale-AFMS Rockhounds of the Month Awards from Wyoming State Mineral & Gem Society : Richard Heumier-WY State Rockhound of the Year Jane Neale-WSMGS Service Award Mary Ann Northrup-WSMGS Service Award Discussion of sponsoring the RMFMS Convention/Rock show in 2015 or 2016 2. The WSMGS Board submitted the restated and rewritten WSMGS Articles of Incorporation (that were approved at the June meeting) to the Wyoming Secretary Of State for approval. Our Articles were approved by the State on June 27, 2013.
3. The WSMGS completed our 501 (c) 3 application and mailed it July 24, 2013. The Federal Internal Revenue Ser- vice received the application July 26, 2013. With the approval by the IRS, WSMGS will be able to apply for grants to supplement the annual state show and to increase our educational programs and charitable giving. A special “Thank You” to Tina Kintzler (228-365-0925), a very competent Riverton accountant who provided her services free of charge.
4. Hopefully your rock club is taking several field trips this summer and fall. After all, most members joined your club for the “Thrill of the Hunting” and to associate with other persons who have like interests.
5. The WSMGS Board has accepted a bid from the Natrona County Rockhounds Club for the 2014 WSMGS State Show. Mark your calendars for July 12-13, 2014.
VOLUME 2013, ISSUE 3 Page 3 2013 WSMGS MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES
Wyoming State Mineral and Gem Society Fremont Center, Riverton, Wyoming June 14,2013, 7 P.M. President, Stan Strike opening the meeting. Minutes of the 2012 Annual WSMGS Membership Meeting were read and approved as read by the Secretary, Mary Ann Northrup. Treasurer, Jane Neale, was unable to attend due to illness. Richard Heumier, Historian gave the Treasurer’s report. Total expenses were $1139.17, money from club dues $359.00, total income $445.29. Bank balance and checkbook balance $1531.53. Historian, Richard Heumier, reported he has been collecting the history of the Wyoming rock clubs. He has made up booklets of information and guidelines for setting up the WSMGS State Rock Show -one for the future show club and one for the state board. The comment was that it was very useful. Jade State News Editor, Verne Orcutt, talked about the set up of the News and the need for pictures, trade or sell items and rock related articles. RMFMS State Director, Jim McGarvey, Director of Public Lands Association needs information on 4wheelers laws, does national news letter for gold prospectors, Rocky Mountain Mineralogical Society. He gives out information to all mentioned. Stan Strike and Jim McGarvey went to the Rocky Mountain Federation show in Sandy, Utah. Marlene Sibley, webmaster for the Wyoming State Mineral and Gem Society, received an Honorable Mention out of 12 states and 100 web sites. Lynn and Jane Neale were selected as AMFS Rockhounds of the month. Verne Orcutt was awarded a certificate of appreciation, and a blue ribbon as a New Editor for the Jade State News. Jim Mc Garvey was presented a Service Award plaque as Director of the Rocky Mountain Federation, only one given out of the 12 states. Old Business- There is a problem with digitizing the Logo which is free drawn. An artist offered some ideas on the theme. Stan moved the Board has leeway to digitize the Logo, Mary Vogel seconded , motion carried. Stan gave reasons for the clubs advantages to have the 501c3. Richard gave an example of what the 501c3 would do for the clubs which are all under an umbrella of the state board by having the 501c3. Richard gave a report on the 2014 state show and Cheyenne turned him down. Casper said no finances are the prob- lem. So no one has bid for the next show. Torrington, Rex Young Club still has extra show cases and Kim Nielsen said they will keep them for a while. Jim McGarvey showed his business card and on the back is an article about rocks to promote rock clubs. New Business- To follow Federation rules an amendment that each club have a rockhound of the year and then this person can go onto state and Federation contests. George Tillman moved to adopt the amended and restated By-Laws, Holly Skinner seconded, an unanimous vote was cast. George Tillman moved the articles of Incorporation to be ratified as published, Mary Vogel seconded the motion ;and an unanimous vote was cast. Officers elected for the next two years are- President-Stan Strike, Vice President,- George Tillman, Secretary-Mary Ann Northrup, Treasurer-Jim McGarvey, Historian- Richard Heumier. and Verne Orcutt as Jade State News editor. The Rocky Mountain Federation President asked for Wyoming to have as show in 2015 or 2016. Mel Gustin Moved we Adjourn, George Tillman seconded, motion carried. Note: These minutes are subject to additions, corrections, and approval at the 2014 Annual WSMGS Membership Meeting. (Mary Ann Northrup, Secretary) Page 4 JADE STATE NEWS 2013 WSMGS FINANCIAL REPORT
VOLUME 2013, ISSUE 3 Page 5 HISTORIAN REPORT
Page 6 JADESTATENEWS AWARD RECIPIENTS
VOLUME 2013, ISSUE 3 Page 7 2013 WYOMING STATE MINERALINERAL AND GEM SHOW CASE EXHIBITS
WINNER OF 2013 TRAVELING TROPHY
Page 8 JADE STATE NEWS VENDORS
VOLUME 2013, ISSUE 3 Page 9 NEWLY ELECTED BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Page 10 JADE STATE NEWS RIVERTONIVERTON SWEETWATER AGATE FIELD TRIP MAY 4TH
We left Riverton in the rain. Along the way, we picked up some rock hounds at Sweetwater Station and some more at the turn off to the Agate Beds. In all, we had around 23 rock hounds, and no more rain. The agate beds were dry but it was a fairly cool day; nice for the people who wanted to dig. And no, I wasn’t the only one digging. Finally got some con- verts. At the end of the day, everyone had a great day and nice selection of agates. It was nice to finally get out and do some rock hunting. Linda Richendifer, Trip Leader
Richard Heumier, the WSMGS Historian, conducted a Basic Geology and Rock Hunting class as part of the Torrington Library's summer reading classes. Each class was 1 1/2 hours long with 72 children (ages 5-15) and 48 adults attend- ing. Richard provides his "students" verbal information and visual exhibits.
VOLUME 2013, ISSUE 3 Page 11 Cody Summer School Students’ Geology Field Trip
Stan Strike, WSMGS President, conducted a Geology Field Trip for the Cody 5th grade school students. The students were introduced to the con- cepts of rock sequences and geologic time using a stratigraphic column. They also learned about rock structures such as anticlines, synclines, and faults viewing geologic maps. In the field, safety was stressed with the use of safety glasses and the proper use of rock hammers, being careful and con- siderate around others, and to watch out for rattlesnakes and bears! Stu- dents were able to fill their backpacks, pockets and sacs with rocks they col- leted along the way up the North Fork Shoshone River.
Students searching river gravels for petri- fied wood.
Students searching Shoshone Canyon “dump” piles for variety of rocks and minerals
Article courtesy of Stan Strike
Page 12 JADESTATENEWS Eddy Cole was employed as a pro- fessional geologist and doing work in InMontana and discovered 1981 the fossilized remains of a dino- WYOMING ROCK STARS saur in the Judith River Formation. It was identified by Dr. AVA AND EDDY COLE Peter Dodson and named after Eddy’s wife Ava- .Avaceratops lammersi. Ava’s dinosaur was recon- structed and determined to be a small dinosaur (ceratopsian) with one short nose horn and a short bony neck frill. It was eight feet long and lived about 75 million years ago during the Upper Cretaceous geologic time pe- riod. Avaceratops were the rhinoceroses of their day: horned 4-legged plant-eaters with huge heads, bulky bodies, hoof like feet, parrot like beak, rows of shearing cheek teeth, and powerful jaws. It is on display at The Academy of Natural Sciences-19th Street and the Park- way-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. *Source Information: Dinosaur Data Book by David Lam- bert, The Academy of Natural Sciences-Philadelphia, and Eddy Cole also is credited with the discovery of a new species of Arthropod- Ecnomocaris spinosa, which he collected in the upper Wheeler Formation within the House Range in Utah. It has a seven centimeter elongated body covered by an exo- skeleton with long spines which extend its total length to 18centimeters. It is thought to have had walking legs and lived on the sea floor using its spines as sensory and defen- sive tools. *Source Information: “Soft-bodied Animals/Algae of the Middle Cambrian of Utah and British Columbia” by S.C. Morris & R.A. Robison from the Paleontological Contributions Series-The University of Kansas. Ava and Eddie Cole own Ava’s Silver Rock shop located in Thermopolis, Wyoming at 631 Shoshoni Street (next to McDonalds). They recently built a new Rock shop at the same location which required demolition of the old shop first. You will find many Wyo- ming rocks, minerals, and fossils for sale that were collected by the Coles. Especially im- pressive is the large boulders of Apple- Green Jade in front of the Rock shop. They also have developed a booklet: “10 Great Wyoming Collecting Areas” and is available for $5.00. The booklet describes new locations certified by the Coles with complete travel directions and what may be collected there.
VOLUME 2013, ISSUE 3 Page 13 WSMGS WEBSITE STATISTICS REPORT www.wymineralandgemsociety.org WSMGS State Rockhound of the Year Continued: Richard provides educational programs for The Wyoming State Mineral and Gem Society web- school age children in his community and displays at site was recognized at the Rocky Mountain Federa- several Wyoming rock shows. He is always willing to tion of Mineralogical Societies Convention in Sandy lend a helping hand and volunteers for projects to Utah (5/18/2013) with an Honorable Mention. Com- promote the WSMGS such as building a model dino- peting against club websites within the other 12 saur to being Night Guard at the State Shows. Rich- states that make up the RMFMS, our WSMGS web- ard leads by example and educates other rock- site did very well considering we received only mi- hounds. nor deducts in judging that can be easily fixed and the judges really, really liked our unique informative There were two other nominations for this award format. A special thanks to our Webmaster-Marlene that should also be recognized for their contributions Sibley-who has donated many hours creating this to the WSMGS: Jim McGarvey and Linna Beebe. Jim website and updating it. has served on the WSMGS Board for over 15 years If you have not taken time to view the website yet, and is presently serving as the RMFMS State Direc- please do so soon. It contains information that tor and WSMGS Treasurer. Linna has served the should interest every Wyoming rockhound. If you Shoshone Rock Club by being a Board member and would like a member of the WSMGS will present a officer for many years. She is the club’s Jade State program for your club-“Introduction to the WSMGS News Reporter and has provided Club News and Website”. History Reports to WSMGS. Linna works with rocks and lapidary almost daily because she and her hus- The following statistics indicate that our site is being band own Stoneage Industries in Powell. discovered as its usage continues to grow every month. For June and July 2013, 92% of our Web WSMGS SERVICE AWARDS Visitors came from the United States, 4% Germany, The WSMGS presented Service Awards to Jane Canada 3%, and with Estonia and Poland less than 1% each. During months prior to these. we were Neale for serving as WSMGS Treasurer for four frequently visited by Chinese rockhounds. Direct years and to Mary Ann Northrup as WSMGS Secre- web traffic using our web address accounted for tary for 15 years. 28% of the visits, with 34% from other websites Award recipients are featured in a photo array on that are linked to our website, and 38% of the visits page 7 resulting from the use of search engines such as Google, Bing, and Yahoo. For July 2013, our visitors used up 74% of our monthly traffic quota (load ca- Big Ben Watch Toss pacity total= 1024MB). Our website as presently written requires 29.83MB of the total of 100MB of Three visitors to London climb up the tower memory that is provided by our web provider- that houses Big Ben and decide to have a con- Doteasy Technology Inc. for $25/year. test. They're going to throw their watches off the top, run down the stairs and try to catch the watches before they hit the ground.
The first tourist throws his watch, takes three steps and hears his watch crash. The second throws his watch and takes only two steps when he hears his watch shatter.
The third tosses his watch off the tower, jogs down the stairs, goes to a candy store, buys a snack, walks back to Big Ben and catches his watch. "How did you do that?" asks one of his friends.
"My watch is 30 minutes slow."
Author: Anonymous
Page 14 JADESTATENEWS THE FORMATION OF QUARTZ & OTHER ASSOCIATED MINERALS
Natural Formation
Quartz can be formed naturally from the silica that is present in the earth’s crust. When silicon (Si) and oxygen (O2) combine, it will create silicon dioxide (SiO2), which is quartz. For this reason, quartz will form underground quite easily whenever a combination of oxygen and silica-rich solu- tions are present. Quartz contains a crystal lattice, and does not require any specific temperature or pressure to form, occurring naturally from the presence of its component parts. Quartz forms in a great variety of different geological environments. It is also quite resistant to both physical and chemical weathering and, therefore, is a very common mineral in the earth’s crust (second only to the feldspars).
Akhaven describes the occurrences of quartz as follows:
1) Vein Quartz—where hot, silica-rich waters deposit quartz in cracks or fissures of pre-existing rocks. Much vein quartz is milky or bull quartz, and good crystals are not common. 2) Gangue Quartz—quartz precipitating along and with hydrothermal ore veins
3) Quartz Veins and Pockets in Carbonate Rocks—formation of quartz in sedimentary rocks (especially limestones and dolomites) related to low-temperature hydrothermal environments. The hydrothermal waters percolated through the carbonates mostly depositing calcite crystals but at times quartz, usually either druzy or isolated stubby crystals. In some instances, the crystals grew in isolated gas cavities and crystals may be bright and shiny such as Herkimer Diamonds. 4) Authigenic Quartz—often produces well-developed crystals that grow within a solid rock. In soft sediments, many bazaar shapes of minerals form; for example, the barite and gypsum roses. In more indurated (hardened by heat/pressure) rocks, crystals with well-formed faces often form, such as pyrite cubes in limestone. 5) Concretions in Sedimentary Rocks—in early diagenesis of sedimentary rock, minerals precipitate from solutions in the pore spaces of sediments. The common minerals are quartz and calcite but also include barite, pyrite, and a host of others. 6) Pegmatites—these rocks form from hot fluids and often form gas pockets that might contain well- formed quartz crystals. 7) Miarole Pockets—quartz forming in gas pockets during the solidification of igneous rocks (similar to peg matites).
8) Geodes and Cavities in Volcanic Rocks—quartz (often chalcedony and agate), and a number of other minerals, are common constituents in geodes. These include such items as thundereggs and various agates.
9) Skarns—quartz may form as igneous magma intrudes carbonate rocks. Source Information: www.quartzpage.de by A.C. Akhaven of Germany /The Ammonite-July 2013-Western Dakota Gem and Mineral Society Newsletter
VOLUME 2013, ISSUE 3 Page 15 OPAL-GEM OR WOOD OPAL
The Gemstone, Opal. Chemistry: SiO2-nH2O; Hydrated Silicon Dioxide. Class: Mineraloids. Group: Some mineralogists place Opal in the Quartz Uses: As a gemstone and ornamental stone. Opal has been a popular gem for many centuries and has a very interesting structure. Opal is consid- ered a mineraloid because this structure is not truly crystalline. The chemistry of Opal is primarily SiO2 and varying amounts of water. The amount of water varies from 5 -10% and greater. This water can help geolo- gists determine the temperature of the host rock at the time the opal formed. Although there is no crystal structure (meaning a regular arrangement of atoms), Opal does possess a structure nonetheless. Random chains of silicon and oxygen are packed into extraordinarily tiny spheres. These spheres in most Opals are irregular in size and inconsistent in concentration. Yet in Precious Opal, the variety used most often in jew- elry, there are many organized pockets of the spheres. These pockets contain spheres of approximately equal size and have a regular concentration, or structure, of the spheres. This has the effect of diffracting light at various wavelengths, creating colors. Each pocket produces a different color, with a different inten- sity depending on the angle from which a viewer sees it. The multicolored flashes of light that Opal emits gives it a truly beautiful and valuable look. (The Amythest House) The Ammonite-December 2012 WSDGMS Wood opal either is a form of petrified wood which has developed an opal sheen or, alternatively, but more rarely, where the wood has been completely replaced by opal. Wikipedia: Wood Opal is an amorphous form of silica related to quartz, a mineraloid form, not a mineral. 3% to 21% of the total weight is water, but the content is usually between 6% to 10%. It is deposited at a relatively low temperature and may occur in the fissures of almost any kind of rock, being most commonly found with limonite, sandstone, rhyolite, marl and basalt. Opal is the national gemstone of Australia, which produces 97% of the world's supply.[4] This includes the production of the state of South Australia, which amounts to around 80% of the world's supply.[5] Opal's internal structure makes it diffract light; depending on the conditions in which it formed it can take on many colors. Opal ranges from clear through white, gray, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, magenta, rose, pink, slate, olive, brown, and black. Of these hues, the reds against black are the most rare, whereas white and greens are the most common. It varies in optical density from opaque to semi- transparent. For gemstone use, its natural color is often enhanced by placing thin layers of opal on a darker underlying stone, like basalt (www.wikipedi.com/wood opal.)-pictures by Artfiberglass.com and Bing.com
LAPIDARY HINTS DETECTING FRACTURES: A good way to tell how solid a slab is, heat it in hot water. The surface will dry immediately when removed from the water, but the fractures will still be filled with water and show up clearly. They can be marked with a pencil and used to orient your slab. (Little Gem,1980 / Ghost Sheet 2010via VGMS bulletin March 2010/ THE AMMONITE-December 2012 by WSDGMS HOW TO HIDE A CRACK : The secret of the art of healing fractures in the cab with epoxy is to shape your stone and semi-polish it. To get rid of that nasty crack, heat the stone to 200 degrees in an oven. Mix epoxy and apply to one edge of the crack. Gradually ap- ply resin, working from one end of the crack to the other. THIS IS IMPORTANT! You will notice that the epoxy be- comes very liquid when it touches the hot stone and it flows right into the crack. By applying the epoxy at one end and working toward the outside edge of the cab, the air is driven out and the epoxy replaces it. Then put the stone back in the oven and let it remain there for another 20 minutes. By this time, the epoxy will harden. Scrape off the surface and pro- ceed with final polish. If you do this right, the fractures will be very difficult to detect. (News Nugget, Nov.1975/The Ammonite-July 2013) Continued at top of next page
Page 16 JADESTATENEWS Lapidary Hints continued:
HOW TO CLEAN QUARTZ CRYSTALS: Remove all dirt from crystals. Put them in a container that can be heated. Dissolve about 1 cupful of pow- dered oxalic acid in 2 1/2 gallons of water. Cover crystals with this acid solution. Cover with a lid; steam 3-6 hours over heat source-(like a hot plate) DO THIS OUTSIDE ONLY!! Let container of crystals cool for several hours. Rinse the crystals in clean water. To dispose of acid solution, neutralize it with baking soda. Don’t breathe the fumes. Wear Rubber gloves. Always add ACID TO WATER, not water to acid. Another report states oxalic acid solution can be used cold-just let crystals sit in it for several days. Wash/ neutralize water. .(From “Rear Trunk”, the Nebraska Gem and Mineral Club-6-1996/The Ammonite-July 2013) CRYSTALS WITH REDDISH IRON SPOTS: At Tractor Supply (other store like it), you can buy “Iron Out.” Clean crystals, dissolve Iron-Out in tap water, enough to cover crystals. Use a plastic bucket or glass jar. Let stand for several days. This method does not require heating, but you should still wear rubber gloves and don’t breathe the fumes. (From “Rear Trunk”, the Nebraska Gem and Mineral Club-6-1996/The Ammonite-July 2013) FOR SMITHSMITHS: USING PRE-MADE BEZEL CUPS: As a general rule of thumb I assume it’s going to take me 15 - 20 minutes to make a bezel for an ordinary cabochon, so for some projects buying pre-made cups can save a lot of time. But if you go this route, keep in mind three things. First, try to get cups made from fine silver, not sterling. Remember that fine silver is softer- and burnishes over the stone more easily. Second, you may have trouble matching the shape and size of the stone with the shape and size of the bezel cup. Purchased cups can only be found in a limited number of standard sizes. You may have to adjust your choice of gemstone to match the cup. The other consideration is that pre-made cups often have fairly low side walls. While these are fine for low-dome stones, they will not adequately secure stones with steep side walls. Lastly before setting, check the fit of your gemstone in the cup, particularly around the bottom. The bottom corners of a stamped cup are much more rounded than a bezel you would fabricate yourself. This causes a problem with some stones. If your stone has a sharp edge around the bottom, burnishing over the bezel will place a lot of stress on the stone and may cause it to crack. To avoid this, I round off the bottom edge of the stone with a diamond file (or use sandpaper on soft stones). More Bench Tips by Brad Smith –(FROM : VGMS bulletin, 2/2012)/ THE AMMONITE-December 2012 by WDGMS
LAKE SUPERIOR AGATES
Article Continued top of next page
VOLUME 2013, ISSUE 3 Page 17 FACTS ABOUT LAKE SUPERIOR AGATES A closer look at the history of the Lake Superior agate: The agate reflects many aspects of Min- nesota. It was formed during lava eruptions that occurred in our state about a billion years ago. The stone's predominant red color comes from iron, the major industrial mineral in our state. Finally, the widely distributed agate reveals the impact of glacial movement across Minnesota a mere 10,000 to 15,000 years ago. Geologic History: More than a billion years ago, the North American continent began to split apart into two sepa- rate continents. This catastrophic event, spurred by molten rock moving deep within the earth, poured out massive, iron-rich lava flows. These flows now are exposed along the north and south shores of Lake Superior. The tectonic forces that attempted to pull the continent apart, and which left behind the lava flows, also created the Superior trough. The trough eventually became the basin of Lake Superior and the lava flows became the birthplace of Lake Superior agates. Water vapor and carbon dioxide became trapped within the solidified flows in the form of millions of bubbles, called gas pockets or vesicles. Later, groundwater carrying ferric iron, quartz, and other dissolved minerals passed through the trapped gas vesicles. These quartz-rich groundwater solu- tions crystallized into concentric bands of fine-grained quartz called chalcedony. Over the next bil- lion years, some of these quartz-filled, banded vesicles -- agates -- were freed by running water and chemically disintegration of the lavas, since these vesicles were now harder than the lava rocks that contained them. The vast majority, however, remained lodged in the lava flows until the next major geologic event that changed them and Minnesota. About 2 million years ago, the world's climate grew colder signaling the beginning of the Great Ice Age. A lobe of glacial ice, the Superior lobe, moved into Minnesota 10,000 to 15,000 years ago. It followed the agate-filled Superior trough. The glacier picked up surface agates and carried them south. Its crushing action and cycle of freezing and thawing at its base also freed many agates from within the lava flows and transported them, too. The advancing glacier acted like an enormous rock tumbler, abrading, fracturing, and rough-polishing the agates. The Lake Superior agate differs from other agates found around the world in its rich red, orange, and yellow coloring. This color scheme is caused by the oxidation of iron. Iron leached from rocks provided the pigment that gives the gemstone its beautiful array of color. The concentration of iron and the amount of oxidation determine the color within or between an agate's bands. The gemstone comes in various sizes. The gas pockets in which the agates formed were pri- marily small, about the size of a pea. A few Lake Superior agates weigh more than 20 pounds, about the size of a bowling ball. Such giant agates are extremely rare, but no doubt others are yet to be discovered. The most common type of Lake Superior agate is the fortification agate with its eye-catching banding patterns. Each band, when traced around an exposed pattern or "face,” con- nects with itself like the walls of a fort, hence the name fortification agate. A common subtype of the fortification agate is the parallel-banded, onyx-fortification or water-level agate. Perfectly straight, parallel bands occur over all or part of these stones. The straight bands were produced by puddles of quartz-rich solutions that crystallized inside the gas pocket under very low fluid pressure. The parallel nature of the bands also indicates the agate's position inside the lava flow. Probably the most popular Lake Superior agate is also one of the rarest. The highly treasured eye agate has perfectly round bands or "eyes" dotting the surface of the stone. Occasionally, collec- tors find a gemstone with an almost perfectly smooth natural surface. These rare agates are be-
Page 18 JADESTATENEWS lieved to have spent a long time tumbling back and forth in the waves along some long-vanished, wave battered rocky beach. They are called, appropriately enough, "water washed" agates. Finally, the rarest Lake Superior agate is the one that recurs in a collector's dreams but is discovered in real- ity perhaps once in a life time. On average only one out of every 10,000 agates fits this description. They are the ones weighing 2 pounds or more and having perfect shape, color, and banding quality. They are the ones called "all-timers." Description
The Lake Superior agate differs from other agates found around the world in its rich red, orange, and yellow coloring. This color scheme is caused by the oxidation of iron. Iron leached from rocks provided the pigment that gives the gemstone its beautiful array of color. The concentration of iron and the amount of oxidation determine the color within or between an agate's bands. The gemstone comes in various sizes. The gas pockets in which the agates formed were primar- ily small, about the size of a pea. A few Lake Superior agates weigh more than 20 pounds, about the size of a bowling ball. Such giant agates are extremely rare, but no doubt others are yet to be discovered. The most common type of Lake Superior agate is the fortification agate with its eye-catching banding patterns. Each band, when traced around an exposed pattern or "face," connects with itself like the walls of a fort, hence the name fortification agate. A common subtype of the fortification agate is the parallel-banded, onyx-fortification or water-level agate. Perfectly straight, parallel bands occur over all or part of these stones. The straight bands were produced by puddles of quartz-rich solutions that crystallized inside the gas pocket under very low fluid pressure. The parallel nature of the bands also indicates the agate's position inside the lava flow. Probably the most popular Lake Superior agate is also one of the rarest. The highly treasured eye agate has perfectly round bands or "eyes" dotting the surface of the stone. You have decided to hunt for Lake Superior agates, but how do you know what to look for? There is no simple answer. Usually, the richly colored banding pattern is not well exposed and prospectors must look for other clues to the presence of agates.
The following characteristics will help you identify agates in the field:
The banding planes along which the agate has broken are sometimes visible, giving the rock a peeled texture. It appears as though the bands were partially peeled off like a banana skin. Iron- oxide staining is found on nearly all agates to some degree, and it generally covers much of the rock. Such staining can be many different colors, but the most common are shades of rust-red and yellow. *Translucence is an optical feature produced by chalcedony quartz, the principal constituent of agates. The quartz allows light to penetrate, producing a glow. Sunny days are best for observing translucence. A glossy, waxy appearances especially on a chipped or broken surface, is another clue. A pitted texture often covers the rock surface. *A pitted texture often covers the rock surface. The pits are the result of knobs or projections from an initial layer of softer mineral matter deposited on the wall of the cavity in which the agate formed. Later, when the quartz that formed the agate was deposited in the cavity, these projections left impressions on the exterior. From: www.dnc.state.mn.us/education/geology/digging/ , Novem- ber 2012-The Ammonite-WSDGMS
VOLUME 2013, ISSUE 3 Page 19 Page20 JADESTATENEWS VOLUME 2013, ISSUE 3 Page 21 NATRONA COUNTY ROCKHOUNDS CLUB - 67TH ANNUAL GEM AND MINERAL SHOW AND WYOMING STATE MINERAL AND GEM SOCIETY- 76TH ANNUAL GEM AND MINERAL SHOW July 12 & 13, 2014- PARKWAY PLAZA 307-235-1777, 800-270-7829 (123 WEST “E” STREET, DOWNTOWN CASPER WY) VENDOR/ DEALER CONTRACT We the undersigned hereby make application for table space for the July 12&13, 2014 show noted above, subject to all rules as specified by the host club. Table rental is $75 per front and back table pair. (2 TABLES) There are no limits to the number of table pairs you can rent. Every effort will be made to provide the equivalent of 8’ by 2.5’ tables, but substitution may be required due to table availability (four six foot table pairs instead of three eight foot table pairs, for example). Display cases this year are reserved for State use. DO YOU NEED A WALL SPACE?______WE NEED ______TABLE PAIR(S)x $75 FOR A TOTAL TABLE RENTAL OF$______Please enclose at least 50% of table fee in check, money order or US currency to secure your spot. The bal- ance, if any, is due before April 1, 2014 or payment-less 10% handling fee- will be refunded and tables con- tracted to others. Space is “first come” contracts with fee to: Attn: Show Chairperson, P.O. Box 123, Mills WY 82644. We will make every effort to honor your requests but reserve the right to assign space as needed. RESERVE EARLY! Refunds (less 10% handling) can be made if cancellation is received in writing by April 1,2014. Questions contact Helen Hoff 307-266-2839 [email protected] You are expected to donate some small item for our silent auction. THANK YOU! Please plan to set up BETWEEN NOON AND 6 PM on Friday, July 11TH. Bring table and overnight covers. Wall display may be available depending on your space. There are plenty of outlets for electricity but you may want an extension cord. There are restrooms, drive- in loading bay and overnight rooms on site. (Please print) Business______phone______email______Address______Names of Vendors______Selling______(for Show Committee) Number of Tables____X $75=_____ First amount received______Show chairperson initial______Date______BAL DUE______
Page 22 JADESTATENEWS JADESTATENEWS WYOMINGSTATEMINERALANDGEMSOCIETY P.O. BOX 697 CODY, WY 82414 307-578-7091
HTTP://WYMINERALANDGEMSOCIETY.ORG
This page is still under construction! You can help by sending your articles of interest with or without photos, calendar of special events and field trips which I can keep updated for all members to view and/or attend. Please allow sufficient lead time be- fore the date of the event to provide time for assembly of the News- letter. As a rule of thumb, I need three weeks from the due date for submissions.
VOLUME 2013ISSUE 3 Page 23